PGC NEWS

Table Manners, developed by Echo Chamber Games and published by Curve Digital, launched just after Valentine’s Day 2020, offering a humorous take on dating etiquette. This simulation game aims to be both a lighthearted distraction and a crash course in navigating the complexities of romantic dinners. But does it succeed in its ambitious goal? Let’s dive into a detailed review of Table Manners.

The Good

Surprisingly Robust Social Features

Whether you’re seeking pure entertainment or genuinely hoping to improve your real-world dating skills, Table Manners delivers a surprisingly engaging experience. The game incorporates core dating sim elements, such as character customization, social media interactions for finding potential partners, and text-based conversations.

Character Customization

These features allow for a personalized experience, encouraging players to invest in their in-game persona. From choosing outfits to crafting witty messages, Table Manners offers more than just awkward dinner scenarios.

Table Manners offers a range of interesting features, from character customization to social media interactions and casual conversations.

Social Media Interaction

Embrace the Chaos

Table Manners encourages playful experimentation and doesn’t penalize players for unconventional approaches. Want to fling food across the table while pouring wine? Go for it! Accidentally set the tablecloth on fire while lighting a candle? No problem! The game prioritizes entertainment over strict adherence to realism.

Causing Mayhem

The primary objective is simply to complete the date’s requirements within the allotted time. The methods employed are largely up to the player, allowing for hilarious and often chaotic outcomes.

Table Manners provides pure entertainment by giving players the freedom to wreak havoc without worrying too much about the consequences.

The Bad

Superficial Features

While Table Manners boasts a variety of extra features, many feel underdeveloped and ultimately contribute little to the overall experience. The messaging system, for example, feels more like window dressing than a meaningful way to interact with potential partners. Sending the wrong message can prematurely end a date, adding frustration rather than depth.

Shallow Features

Furthermore, the limited character customization options, with characters essentially being palette swaps of the same basic model, contribute to a sense of repetitiveness.

Limited Character Models

The abundance of features without clear purpose creates an unnecessary sense of constraint in Table Manners.

A Plague of Bugs

Bugs are an unfortunate reality in many games, but Table Manners suffers from an excessive amount of glitches that significantly detract from the experience. These issues range from minor annoyances to game-breaking errors. Players might find their virtual hand stuck to objects, or worse, experience sudden crashes that erase their progress.

Glitches

The frequent and unpredictable occurrence of bugs is a significant drawback for Table Manners.

Conclusion

Table Manners offers a unique and often hilarious take on the dating sim genre. Its emphasis on chaotic fun and forgiving gameplay mechanics makes it an entertaining diversion. However, the game is ultimately held back by its shallow features and persistent technical issues. While the core concept is promising, Table Manners could benefit from further refinement and polish to truly reach its full potential.

Game Information

• Developer: Echo Chamber Games
• Publisher: Curve Digital
• Genre: Simulation
• Release Date: February 15, 2020
• Platform: PC

Minimum System Requirements

• OS: Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10
• CPU: Intel i5-2500K
• RAM: 6 GB
• GPU: GeForce GTX 760
• HDD: 3 GB

Test System Configuration

• OS: Windows 10 Home 64-bit
• CPU: Intel Core i5-9300h 2.4GHz
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: Nvidia Geforce GTX 1660ti 6 GB
• SSD: 512 GB SSD NVMe M.2 PCle Gen 3×2